Apenas Amigos

This is a light young love story. Yad and his family are refugees from Middle East and come to Netherlands, where he is lucky to come into acquaintance of Joris. There is very little made of their sexuality, with is refreshing. They just are 2 people that happen to have some fun, and more.

It's not deep drama by any means. There is little context or history to explain the characters' behaviors. This is a feel good, look good movie. Especially the drop dead Joris, who the camera lingers on in various stages of undress. (i did not have a problem with this.)

This was a very well done film, with top notch production values, beautiful outdoor settings, a good amount of comedy to offset some of the very serious issues taking place. Two young males, from different backgrounds, fall in love. There is some fall-out because neither mother accepts the other son based on race/religious and economic status. With the help of one of the boys' Oma, they find a way to eventually master some of these hurdles. The grandmother character is one of the main highlights, with her sense of humor and outlook. The two main characters were standouts in their performances.

It is a surprising film. for the choice to not be a manifesto, a pledge, a drama in the well known frame. but a simple, honest lovely story of a relation. nothing great but impressive for each detail. because it is not only the film of lead actors. because the performances of ladies are more than beautiful. because it is a film with roots in social reality. and a love story who could convince each viewer. a beautiful film. and this "verdict" , for me, is enough for invite to see it.

I am pleased that this film was made by a female director and she achieved a miracle; I laughed with and not at the poor way the Dutch treat homosexuality ( when they occasionally do ) and after just seeing ' Akron ' I was yet again involved with mothers and one dead father as much as I was involved with the two very young gay protagonists. The running joke of the urn with ashes in it wore thin after a while, but it managed to resolve itself with a few shedding of tears. The humour I did laugh at was mainly to do with dialogue, which I kind of understand ( badly all the same ) as after many years living there I could not and still do not quite get it!!! Shame on me. The story itself is basically the usual and rather tiresome I have just got out of my nappies film, which is a trope in Gay/Queer cinema I wish we could drift away from for a while. Two ( teenage ? ) guys meet cute by one of the dreariest landscapes in the world, and after a few bumpy rides in the relationship all's well that meets well. Mothers dominate yet again, and so do grandmothers as well as anyone else you want to mention in families. Their stories were sometimes moving, and sometimes full of cliches but the acting was overall good and the film is very watchable. I give it a 7 for being entertaining and at times manipulatively moving, but did Josha Stradowski as the tall youthful hunk from homosexual land really have to dominate quite so much with his skimpy shorts and teasing overtures of masturbation ? I am fond of male beauty but I am sick and tired of Gay cinema being overwhelmed by mainly young men of say under 22. There is a whole wide world out there of other gay male imagery to be explored, and some films do, and believe it or not, the male Lolita syndrome wears thin. I have said probably the unsayable, and perhaps the ' other ' portrayals ' of men are less popular with those who buy these films. Gay/Queer film still has many battles to fight to win over audiences, and that is sad but it does not have to remain in a world of sea bathing, shower scenes and titillation to gain attention. I like real sexuality in Gay cinema and have often applauded it, but the domination of youthful angst can become boring. That said I think this is the best gay themed film to come out of the Netherlands and that is to be celebrated.

Gewoon Vrienden is so underrated and under the radar, only 32 reviews (including me) proves it.

There are 4 salty reviews here I can't stand them, because this didn't deserves rating below than 6 of out 10. This is in my top 6 gay movie all of time (so far and I can watch it over and over again), with Brokeback Mountain, Four moons, God's own country, Longtime companion, and The way he looks.

P. S. Did you know that: 1. This is a Telefilm: Telefilms are Dutch feature films specially made for television (such as Jongens also from Netherlands or Hidden Kisses from France).

2. Director Annemarie van de Mond has resigned due to a disagreement with the creative team about the course of the film, the director's name has disappeared from the credits, the name 'Ellen Smit' is mentioned as a replacement. This is a pseudonym and is more commonly used when a director distances himself from a production.

3. If y'all find it difficult to find the soundtrack, it's from Jeffrey van Rossum (I'll Follow You & My Home)